Top-seeded Pirates host Mt. San Jacinto in playoff series opener

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College softball team -- Co-Champs of the Orange Empire Conference and the No. 1 seed in Southern California, will host Mt. San Jacinto College in a best-of-three series beginning Friday at 2 p.m. in the opening round of the SoCal Regional playoffs.

The 16th-seeded Eagles (30-10), champions of the Inland Empire Athletic Conference, earned the weekend trip to Costa Mesa after topping No. 17 Moorpark in nine innings, 6-5, on Tuesday in the regional play-in game. 

"We know that they seeded high for their conference and we have a lot of respect for their program so we are really looking forward to the matchup," OCC head coach Jodie Kiaha said. "It is gratifying to be the No. 1 seed in terms of rankings and RPI. We played the toughest schedule in (Southern California) and that's indicative as to why we are seeded No. 1. It's been a culmination of the total body of work our team has put together since the beginning of the season and I'm so proud of our team for coming in as Co-OEC champs. I think those are the fruits of the labor our girls have put in day in and day out. I have some of the most blue-collared players and I hope their futures are bright at the next level."

It has been a historic season for the OCC softball program. Already topping last year's 27-win mark, the Pirates (28-7) earned a share of the Orange Empire Conference for the first time since the 1992 season. With over 20 games played against state ranked opponents, the wins this year have not only been plentiful, but hard-earned as well.

Coast's lineup spotlights several standouts with seven different every-day players hitting over .300 for the season. Among the leaders of the Pirate offense is sophomore infielder Jasmyn Morales, who earned OEC MVP and All-State honors this year after hitting .343 with 36 hits, 30 runs scored, six HR and 32 RBI.

"She is definitely someone who will re-write history here at Orange Coast College," Kiaha said of Morales. "She's a big-time player ... someone who's well respected by her teammates and she gets it done on the field and in the classroom. I look forward to seeing how we rally with our sophomores and our very-hefty freshman class into the postseason."

Among those freshmen mentioned by Kiaha include outfielder Olivia Pedraza (.374, 37 hits, 3 HR, 14 RBI), pitcher/hitter Kelsey McNair (.373.22 hits, 2 HR, 10 RBI), infielder Isabel Lopez (.312, 34 hits, 6 HR, 24 RBI) and infielder Kimora Tuipala (.307, 23 hits, 4 HR, 28 RBI).

Adding to the depth of the Pirate lineup are sophomores Reyna Hernandez (.312, 24 hits, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 12 stolen bases) and infielder McKenzie Koshi (.303, 23 hits, five stolen bases).

In the pitcher's circle, Coast has several top-level options to turn to. Freshman Daniella Sanchez has been lights out for the Pirates as a starter, going 10-1 with a 1.70 ERA, allowing just 18 earned runs over 74 1/3 innings with 39 strikeouts. Sophomore Ruby Fidge (6-4, 3.12 ERA) came on strong down the stretch against some of the best teams in the state this year, while freshman Camila Hernandez (5-0, 2.15 ERA) can start or come out of the bullpen to provide depth in the circle. Then, if the game is close late, look for McNair to come into the game and shut the door. She went 4-0 with eight saves this year with a 1.08 ERA and 41 strikeouts in just 26 innings of work.

For the Eagles -- winners of 13 of 14 heading into this weekend's series -- they are led at the plate by sophomore Bailey Heuer, who is batting .326 with 43 hits and a team-best 41 RBI. Freshman Trinity Barnes is one behind Heuer with 42 hits, but leads the squad with 42 runs scored, 26 stolen bases and a .412 batting average. Brooke Schaffer has a .384 average with 38 hits, 26 runs and 34 RBI, while Natalie Juarez is batting .317 with 38 hits, 26 runs and 29 RBI. The Eagles can also fly around the bases as they are currently ranked fifth in the state with 112 stolen bases this year.

MSJC has a solid 1-2 punch in the pitcher's circle. Ellianna Pasley is 15-3 with a 2.12 ERA, allowing 36 earned runs over 118 2/3 innings, while teammate Trinity Robinson has appeared in 37 games for the Eagles with 12 starts, an 11-6 record, four saves, six complete games and a 2.52 ERA.

The winner of this weekend's series will take on the winner of the Saddleback-Antelope Valley series next weekend.